Romans 15:5 (NIV) May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus Christ had. Romans 15:5 (ESV) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, INTRODUCTION The Roman church was a diverse community. It was made up of Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free people, rich and poor, strong and weak. So it was difficult for them to accept one another. Accepting means taking people into our homes as well as into our hearts, sharing meals and activities, and avoiding racial and economic discrimination. We must go out of our way to avoid favoritism. Consciously spend time greeting those you don't normally talk to, minimize differences, and seek common ground for fellowship. In this way you are accepting others as Christ has accepted you, and God is given glory. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL Cruising along the highway I saw a giant banner across the back of a semitruck announcing, "Test in Progress." Switching lanes to bypass this, I was struck by this concept of preparing other drivers for possible mistakes by disclosing that the driver wasn't perfect. I wondered, If I wore a T-shirt emblazoned with "Test in Progress," encouraging people to be understanding if I made mistakes - not just on the road but in life - would people be more patient and accepting of my flaws and imperfections? How significant, those three simple words: test in progress. They describe the entire human race. Everyone's undergoing some kind of test in progress. We just don't broadcast it with a banner on our backside. When I reflect on various tests in progress among my own family and friends, I recall struggles with addictions, income losses, unpaid bills, eviction threats, terminal illnesses. These tests, and more, are the daily reality for people we pass on the highway of life. While I was desiring extra grace for myself; Jesus reminded me to have a heart of compassion for others. I want to have an attitude like Jesus for people enduring personal hardship that's not proclaimed on a banner. Cassandra Tiersma Faith Step: Whether at home, at church, at work, or on the highway, consider each person you meet as someone undergoing a test in progress that you may not be aware of. Will you switch lanes to bypass them? Or will you offer a word of encouragement? Ask Jesus to give you the same attitude He has for others. Thank Him for loving and accepting us wherever we are in our test in progress. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] COMMENTARY FUNDAMENTAL My husband and I recently had our fortieth wedding anniversary. We joked that we married when we were ten, since we don't feel old enough to have celebrated such an anniversary. Indeed, we did get married fairly young. Through the years, harmony was occasionally challenging to find. On personality tests, we score very opposite. Ted is quiet and I'm a chatterbox. He's patient and easygoing. I'm extroverted and more tightly wound. Each of our qualities hold strengths and weaknesses, and we've learned how our traits can affect each other. We've worked to adapt, to view situations through the other's perspective, and to show love in the way the other appreciates it. If we had spent forty years focusing solely on harmony with each other, we would have hit more sour notes. From the time we committed to walking through life together, it was a three-fold commitment. A Powerful Phrase Is Buried In Today's Verses From Romans: "In Accord With Christ Jesus." As Both Of Us Focused On Turning Our Hearts Toward Jesus, We Found It Easier To Resonate With Each Other. The same is true with other relationships in the body of Christ. It's hard to find unity when we're singing from different sheet music. But when we align our hearts with Jesus, we find that, despite our many differences, we are able to glorify God with one voice along with our fellow believers. And that's a song Jesus sings with us. Sharon Hinck Faith Step: Sing a song with someone else today and find a harmony. Ask Jesus to bring harmony to one key relationship in your life. [Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] CLOSING PEARL A few years ago, a family in our church experienced the unexpected death of their precious little girl. Driving over to their house, I tried to prepare my heart. What would I say? How could I comfort them? I wanted to be so strong and comforting for these dear people but feared I wouldn't be able to control my own sadness. So I prayed and asked God to direct everything I would say or do. After knocking on the door, I breathed deeply and walked in. When I saw the dad across the room, he immediately rose to his feet and moved toward me. With his full weight, he collapsed on me. Before I could stop it, I started crying with him. All I could do was hold him as we sobbed together. For quite some time, I held him. Then we sat together and no one spoke. Not a word. When I left, I got in the car and felt like a massive failure. I didn't say anything to comfort this family. A few days later I received the most touching note. It was from both the mom and dad who gushed about how much my visit had ministered to them. It was then I realized that presence is more powerful than words. Just being there, together, was all that mattered. Today recognize that you don't have to say the right thing to make a big difference. Sometimes you just have to be present. Allow me to comfort others, Lord, just by sharing their burdens today. Help me to show them your heart through my presence in the midst of their struggle. [Daily Power by Craig Groeschel] LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - BE AN ENCOURAGER. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200322-0751.html YOUR COMMENTS If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or testimony on this passage of Scripture, either personal or otherwise, I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred Gibbs LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT Most Important Decision in Life: http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: https://stepstopeace.org/ Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782 Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ Amazing Facts Bible Studies: http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study Guides: https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/ LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/ Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657 Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE